Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
MOST OFTEN ASKED
QUESTIONS FOR
CLARK COUNTY PLAN COMMISSION
CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
CLARK COUNTY BUILDING COMMISSION
1. What is the
zoning of my property?
You must come to the
Plan Commission Office and someone will assist you in checking the
zoning plat. If possible, please bring your deed or tax statement to
better assist us in finding your property.
2. How do I apply to
rezone my property?
Stop by the Plan
Commission Office and pick up a copy of the Petition and Rules and
Regulations for rezoning. The main things you'll need are either
your deed or a copy of the deed and names and addresses of all
adjoiners or minimum of five (5)- if more than five (5) we need
every name and address. This information is found in the County
Auditor's Office.
3. How can I get an
address for my property or a portion of my property?
Addresses are issued
when you apply for a building permit. We do not address vacant land.
4. What
documentation do I need to apply for a building permit?
Your deed or a copy of
deed, plot plan showing exact location and measurements of
structure. If you are building a dwelling, placing a mobile or
modular home on property in the County you will need septic approval
if sewers are not available. You might want to bring any surveys or
drawings that could make it easier to scale out your new address and
check your zoning and flood plain status.
5. How can I
determine if a certain road will be widened or altered?
Check with Hyun Lee,
County Engineer, (285-6286).
6. What permits do I
need?
From our office for a new
Dwelling you will need: a Location Improvement
(Building) Permit, Electrical, Plumbing, Heating Permit,
and a Driveway Permit. (If no existing driveway.)
For a Modular/Mobile
Home you will need a Location
Improvement (Building) Permit, Electrical Permit, and a Driveway
Permit. (If no existing driveway.)
For an Accessory
Structure, Garage, Storage Building, Barn, Pool, both in-ground
and above ground, Signs, etc. you will need Location
Improvement (Building) Permit and
Electrical (if applicable).
7. When do I need a
permit to build?
You need all your
permits prior to starting the project.
8. What does not
need a permit?
A structure 100 square
feet or smaller, fence or uncovered deck.
9. Do I need a
permit for a Swimming Pool?
Yes, both in-ground and
above ground plus an electrical permit.
10. What is the
minimum size for a single family dwelling?
The minimum size for a
single-family dwelling is 950 square feet.
11. What is the
minimum age of a mobile home being placed in the County?
The minimum age of a
mobile home being brought from out of the County is ten (10) years
old. There is no minimum age for mobile homes being moved from one
place to another in the confines of the County.
12. Can I get a
Septic Permit at the Plan Commission office?
No, septic permits come
from the Clark County Health Department (282-7521).
13. How much
property do I need to get a septic permit?
You will need a minimum
of 40,000 square feet with 100 feet of road frontage on public
maintained road or private road with a road maintenance agreement.
14. How much
property do I need to build on property covered by sanitary sewers?
9,600 square feet with
a minimum of 60 feet of road frontage on public maintained road or
private road with a road maintenance agreement.
15. How close can I
build to my side property line?
For lots 99 feet or
under you will need to be a minimum of 6 feet from the side line and
for lots 100 feet or wider you must be a minimum of 10 feet from the
side property line.
16. How do I get a
copy of my deed?
Go to the County
Auditor's Office and get your deed drawer and instrument number and
take to the County Recorder's Office for a copy of your deed.
17. How much does a
permit cost? See schedule of fees.
18. What are the
methods of payment to the Plan Commission?
You may pay with check
or cash.
19. Can the Plan
Commission fax me a permit? No.
20. Who needs to
purchase the permit?
Anyone may get the
permit as long as they have the correct information.
21. What happens if
I fail to get a permit?
Normally we only
require you to come in and get the permit, although we may charge a
fine or require you to remove the structure if you are in a Flood
Plain or too near the road, side or rear property line. To be on the
safe side, please acquire all your permits in advance of starting
your project.
22. For a building
permit do I have to come to your office or is it okay to give you
the information over the phone and then mail you a check?
No.
23. What does the
Plan Commission do?
Rezone, issue
addresses, review and act on subdivision plats, both Minor and
Major, PUDS, in certain cases do vacations and issue permits.
24. What does the
Board of zoning Appeals do?
Variances from the
terms of the zoning ordinance, appeals from staff decision, special
uses and home occupations.
25. Do I need
approval for Bed and Breakfast facility?
Yes, you must have
correct zoning and a special use approval.
26. Do I need
approval for a Dog Kennel or Animal Hospital?
Yes, you must have
correct zoning and a special use approval.
27. How do I go
about having a one-operator Beauty/Barber Shop in my home?
Apply for a home
occupation with the BZA.
28. Are all rulings
by the Plan Commission final?
No, for rezoning they
are only advisory and final approval is given by the Board of County
Commissioners. For subdivisions the Plan Commission gives final
approval.
29. How many members
serve on the Plan Commission?
Nine (9) members. See
listing of board members.
30. How many members
are required for a quorum on the Plan Commission?
Five (5) members.
31. Are all rulings
by the Board of Zoning Appeals final?
Yes, they are a
decision making board.
32. How many members
are on the Board of Zoning Appeals?
Five (5) members. See
listing of board members.
33. How many members
are required for a quorum on the Board of Zoning Appeals?
Three (3) members.
34. Where does Clark
County Plan Commission have jurisdiction?
In the unincorporated
areas of the County.
35. When does the
Plan Commission meet?
At 5:00pm the second
Wednesday of January, February, March, May, June, July, September,
October and November. If there is no business to be conducted the
meeting is not held. To be certain the Plan Commission will meet,
please give the office a call (285-6287).
36. When does the
Board of Zoning Appeals meet?
At 5:00pm the third
Wednesday of January, February, March, May, June, July, September,
October and November. If there is nothing to go before the Board no
meeting will be held. To make sure the Board of Zoning Appeals will
meet, please give the office a call (285-6287).
37. How far in
advance do I need to file a petition with the Plan Commission or the
Board of Zoning Appeals?
Everything must be in
at least Four (4) weeks prior to the meeting.
38. Whose
responsibility is it to have the legal notice published in the
Evening News for a Plan Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals
meeting?
It is the
responsibility of the petitioner to take the legal notice to the
Evening News. This office will prepare the legal notice for the
paper, but you must take it to the paper and pay the fee.
39. Whose
responsibility is it to notify the adjoining property owners that I
am going before the Plan Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals
meeting?
This office will
prepare the notice, have the envelopes, green card, stamped with our
return address, and the white receipt needed to mail certified, sent
to you in a packet, but it is your responsibility to pay the postage
and mail certified. Said packet will also include legal notice
mentioned above.
40. Where do the
Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals meet?
The Commissioners
Conference Room number 308.
41. How can I obtain
an agenda before the meeting?
You may stop by the
office and pick up an agenda or call and ask to have one faxed to
you.
42. How can I speak
to the Plan Commission?
If you are there to
speak about something on the agenda you will be given a turn to
speak at that time. If you want to speak on something during the
business portion of the meeting, please contact the Executive
Director prior to the meeting.
43. What is the best
approach in speaking before the Plan Commission?
Be short and to the
point. Do not repeat what someone has already brought up and do not
get off the subject as they are only acting on what has been asked
for. Do not go after the character of the petitioner. You may bring
up the fact they are asking for a spot zoning or that it would be
harmful to health and safety. Most of all be brief and explain any
problem you foresee.
44. Must I have an
attorney to represent me when I go before the Plan Commission?
No, but there are times
when it is most helpful. If it is a controversial issue you may want
to consider retaining an attorney.
45. Do I need
inspections for new construction? Yes.
46. Do I need the
footing inspected before or after it is poured?
Prior to pouring.
47. When do I get my
framing inspection?
When all rough-ins are
ready just before hanging dry-wall.
48. How do I get a C
of 0 (Certificate of Occupancy)?
We do not issue C of
0's. We will be happy to give you a letter stating that we do not
give C of 0's and that all inspections were made and approved.
49. Do you sell your
Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Control Ordinance?
Yes, stop by the office
and you may purchase a Zoning Ordinance for $30.00 and the
Subdivision Control Ordinance for $15.00.
50. Do I need a
driveway permit or a culvert permit? Yes.
51. Can I put my
driveway on the property line? Yes.
52. Where do I check
on the flood plain for the County?
Either the Plan
Commission Office or the County Surveyor's Office. Documentation
showing the location of property is very helpful.
53. Who are the
employees in the Plan Commission Office?
Ramona A. Bagshaw,
Executive Director
Anthony (Tony) Semones, Building Commissioner and Enforcement
Officer
Phillip (Phil) Vogt, Assistant Enforcement Officer and Building
Inspector
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